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23+ Fun Family Days Out NEAR Manchester in 2024!

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Looking for family days out near Manchester and things to do with kids near Manchester??

I love living in Manchester because of its amazing location to other cities and areas like Chester, the Peak District, North Wales and the Midlands.

These areas are full of parks, family attractions, museums and zoos meaning there are many family things to do near Manchester for us!

In this post you’ll find family days out around Manchester which will fill a whole day, and many family activities near Manchester that you can mix and match with something else nearby.

Make sure you also check out my post – Family Days Out IN Manchester for when you don’t want to travel as far!

Family Days Out Near Manchester

Family Days Out Near Manchester
Keep reading for the Best Family Days Out Near Manchester

I know I’m always looking for new family things to do near Manchester which all 3 of my stepsons will enjoy, and my husband & I will enjoy too!

So here are many of our tried and tested days out near Manchester and I’ll keep the list updated as we explore more family places around Manchester!

Family Days Out Near Manchester, hiking with kids
We’re so lucky to have so many walking and nature options for family activities near Manchester!

Getting to these family attractions near Manchester

The majority of these family places to visit near Manchester will require a car. If you are on a trip to Manchester without a car, search for car hire from Manchester Airport here.

Manchester and the surrounding cities and towns are well connected by train though and I’ve detailed below whether train travel will be possible.

I always use The Train Line to find the best train tickets and they often do family deals, especially during the holidays so check out The Train Line here!

Family Days Out Around Manchester

Let’s get into these family days out around Manchester!

1. Chester Zoo

  • Where is it? Chester
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes to Chester Station, plus a 20-minute bus or taxi ride
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Boys at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is one if the fun family days out near Manchester!

Chester Zoo is a classic family day out near Manchester and a family favourite of ours. If you live in South Manchester as I do, it’s actually easier to get here than North Manchester despite it being one of the family days out in Chester.

Chester Zoo is one of the things to do near Manchester with kids because it’s great for kids of all ages and adults too!

It can be expensive to go here, especially with a bigger family so I recommend looking into their annual membership if you think you’ll go multiple times within a year to save you money in the long run.

Both times I’ve been with my younger stepsons we’ve only managed half of the zoo in one visit.

In summer, it’s a bit easier as you can take a picnic and rest but when we went on wet school holiday days, we were go-go-go and got tired after a few hours and half the zoo.. at least that meant I could make another day trip out of it the next year!

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Giraffes at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo – Family Days Out Around Manchester

2. Knowsley Safari

Can you go on Safari near Manchester? Yep! Knowsley Safari is located close to Liverpool and Warrington and offers a truly wild encounter in the North West.

They have a 5 mile safari drive which is the longest in the UK and takes about an hour to do but the best thing is that you can go around more than once to make the most out of your money and time on this family day out near Manchester!

The baboons are a highlight and if you’re worried about getting your car ruined by them.. look into the Baboon Bus Experience so you can see them without any stress!

If you don’t fancy driving or you don’t arrive by car, or, it’s a nice sunny day, there’s a Foot Safari option through woodlands, Tiger enclosures and other animal habitats!

This is included in your general car ticket too so again, another way to stretch the day and make the most out of being here and an overall great option when thinking about how to spend a day with family near Manchester!

3. Trentham Monkey Forest

  • Where is it? Stoke on Trent
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes from Stoke Station plus a 5 mile taxi or bus journey
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Trentham Monkey Forest visitors
Trentham Monkey Forest is one of the cheap days out near Manchester

Who needs Bali to visit a Monkey Forest when you can go to Trentham Monkey Forest in Stoke on Trent!?

Trentham Monkey Forest is the only place in the UK where you can walk amongst 140 free-roaming Barbary macaque monkeys! You might have had bad past experiences with Monkies and cars but here, you walk with them, no driving is needed!

The Monkey trail is 3/4 mile which is doable for most children, and you can take a pushchair. The best thing is that you can go around as many times as you want. We went around once and then looped back a second time to watch the 12:15 feeding.

For family days out near Manchester that don’t cost too much, I really like that tickets for Trentham Monkey Forest are priced much lower than other activities at £10.00 for an adult & £8.00 for a child when booked online. They also have a good value annual membership.

I did notice that when we paid in person when we arrived, it was £1-2 more pp so I recommend buying tickets online.

There’s a good playground and picnic areas as well as a cafe within the Monkey Forest complex, and to make a longer day out near Manchester you can walk around Trentham Gardens and Lake next door.

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Feeding time at Trentham Monkey Forest
Feeding Time at Trentham Monkey Forest

4. Delamere Forest

  • Where is it? Between Chester & Northwich
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, to Delamere Train Station
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Family bike riding at Delamere Forest
We love bike riding at Delamere Forest for family days out around Manchester,

Delamere Forest is another family favourite of ours. It’s great for walking and biking with many trails for both.

There’s a big car park, cafe and facilities so helpful with younger children. They often run school holiday events and outside of the holidays they still have trails aimed at children like finding the Gruffalo Sculptures.

You can take your own bikes or hire them from their onsite bike hire shop. They are pretty expensive to hire, especially for a family of 4-5 but the trails are really fantastic and safe for biking!

Delamere Forest also has a Go-Ape onsite, this is one of the closest Go-Ape’s to Manchester. They offer 2 Treetop challenges and Segways!

Many of the trails are covered by trees above so it’s ok when looking for things to do near Manchester in the rain as you are not open to the elements here!

Family Days Out Near Manchester, bike hire shop at Delamere Forest
Bike Hire Shop at Delamere Forest – Family Activities near Manchester

5. Heights of Abraham

  • Where is it? Matlock Bath, Peak District
  • Train Access from Manchester? Matlack Bath Train Station is at the base of the Heights of Abraham
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, castle at Heights of Abraham
The Heights of Abraham is one of the fun days out near Manchester in the Peak District,

For one of the full days out near Manchester, the Heights of Abraham will keep you out and busy all day!

You start off in the tourist village of Matlock Bath and the adventure starts straight away as you take a cable car from the car park up to the hill.

Once up here, there is a whole site to explore including 2 famous show caverns, viewpoints, play areas, exhibitions, shops, a sculpture trail, a butterfly trail and more.

Your ticket will include guided tours of both show caverns and my stepsons loved going inside. It also releases the pressure off you to entertain the kids for a bit and have a guide do it!

This is one of the really fun days out near Manchester for all the family as it can be appreciated by different ages and is very accessible despite being on top of a hill.

For family days out from Manchester by train, this is one of the great ones because the attraction entrance is next to Matlock Bath train station. A few changes are needed from Manchester Central though so be sure to check The Train Line for the best route options from where you live.

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Heights of Abraham Cave inside
Inside a Cave at the Heights of Abraham in the Peak District,

6. Llandudno

  • Where is it? North Coast of Wales
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, to Llandudno train station
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Llandudno Pier
For great beaches near Manchester, head to Llandudno for family fun!

Can you get easy seaside fun on one of the days out near Manchester? Yes! Llandudno in North Wales is a popular Victorian seaside destination and it’s easy to reach by car from Manchester via the North Wales Express, or, via a direct 2 hour train from Manchester Piccadilly.

I always use The Train Line to find the best train tickets and they often do family deals, especially during the holidays so check out The Train Line here!

I love Llandudno for its ease and traditional seaside feel.

Once there, you can explore its huge beach, boardwalk and pier and enjoy all the amenities in the town.

If you want to do some Llandudno activities, check out the Great Orme Tramway, or you can drive to the top yourself and walk around, Llandudno SnowSports Centre for indoor and outdoor activities, and the many beaches in the area.

7. World of Wedgewood

  • Where is it? Stoke on Trent
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, to Stoke on Trent station plus a 15 minute taxi
  • Website Link

World of Wedgewood is a gold award-winning tourist attraction and really good if you’re looking for family days out near Manchester to suit a range of ages.

You may be familiar with Wedgewood, they make a collection of British tableware and home decor pieces and are pretty famous for it so a visit here is based around Pottery and design.

Their creative studio offers classes during the week and weekend for adults and children, and to keep children entertained, this is probably the main attraction for visiting.

I know my stepsons love painting and creating things and the Potters Wheel session and Decorating Studio are perfect for this.

For outside fun, you can walk around Hem Heath Woods Nature Trail nearby.

Trentham Monkey Forest, mentioned higher in this list of family attractions in Manchester is just a few minutes away so you could pair both together, and due to the good location in Stoke on Trent, if you have friends or family looking for day trips from Birmingham, this is a great central place to meet between Birmingham and Manchester.

The majority of these family places to visit near Manchester will require a car. If you are on a trip to Manchester without a car, search for car hire from Manchester Airport here.

8. Kenyon Hall Farm

I love Kenyon Hall Farm and all that they offer! No matter what the season they always have some type of activity for all the family to get involved in!

Pumpkin Picking in Autumn, Fruit Picking & Sunflower Maze in Summer, Christmas and Easter activities and lots more in between!

Kenyon Hall Farm is in Warrington so if you live in South Manchester as I do, it’s one of the really easy things to do with kids near Manchester as it’s just 30 minutes away.

They also have a cafe, deli and garden centre onsite so you can really make a full family day out near Manchester by visiting here. If you want to go to a specific event, be sure to look on their website and most things are ticketed.

I recommend signing up to their newsletter so you can get notified about their upcoming events. I know I always forget when Strawberry picking season is and then it’s over by the time I remember, but this way, they’ll keep you updated!

9. Apple Jacks Adventure Park

A brilliant fun day out with Kids near Warrington. Apple Jacks Adventure Park is seasonal and opens only on certain days so be sure to check their timings online before arriving.

They offer lots to keep children and adults entertained outside such as Tractor Rides around the farm, Jumping Pillows, Zip Wires, and Mazes (which are seasonal), and kids’ entertainment shows.

They have plenty of places to sit if you want to take lunch, or you can eat in their cafe.

If the British Weather holds out, this is such a nice family day out near Manchester. They do aim their activities at ages 4 to 12 and it’s worth noting that although they are a farm, there is no animal petting here.

10. Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park)

  • Where is it? North Wales
  • Train Access from Manchester? Not that easily
Family Days Out Near Manchester,Family  Horse Riding in North Wales
How about horse riding in Snowdonia for your family day out from Manchester?

For a family day out in nature that won’t disappoint, head to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park) in North Wales.

We visit here a lot with the boys and although it may look far on the map, the journey from Manchester to Snowdonia is really not that bad as most of it is along with North Ways Express and it’s only at the end you head into country lanes.

There are an unlimited amount of things to do in Snowdonia and therefore, things to do with kids near Manchester. Here are some of my recommendations:

Zip World is great for an adrenaline rush and they have 3 locations within Eryri National Park (Snowdonia National Park).

We recently took the boy’s horse riding with Snowdonia Riding Stables, they offer different-length rides through the nearby countryside in a safe environment for children.

For family attractions near Manchester, the village of Llanberis is a hub of tourist attractions. The National Slate Museum is a great educational place to learn about the area and then you can head out on the Llanberis Lake Railway.

If your children are slightly older, there’s always Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) to climb! Here’s my guide to climbing Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon). There’s also the Snowdonia Railway which at present takes you 3/4 of the way up Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon), not all the way but the last 1/4 could be a good challenge for children!

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Mount Snowdon Summit on Sunny Day
Or hiking Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) if your children are a bit older?

11. Lyme Park National Trust

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Lyme Park Entrance
For family places to visit close to Manchester, Lyme Park is a great option!

Lyme Park is one of the easy days out near Manchester for families because it’s just on the edge of the Peak District meaning you get a lot of the Peak District vibes with rolling countryside without too many windy roads.

One of the positives to visiting National Trust sites with children is the facilities- good parking, cafes and bathrooms, another reason this is one of the great things to do with kids in northern England.

Lyme Park offers a house you can go inside and is a great educational place for children. They also have gardens to walk around, a forest and walking trails. During the school holidays, they have seasonal activities to keep children entertained.

A walk to ‘the cage’ is a great hit for kids and offers great views of Manchester.

Manchester and the areas around Manchester are full of National Trust sites and I give you more information on these below. Being a National Trust Member creates a big saving for you and encourages you to get outside all year round because you’ve already paid for your day out!

Click here to look into the National Trust Annual Membership and give your family a whole years worth of days out in Manchester!

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Lyme Park Cage
Be sure to wear the kids out by walking to the cage!

12. BeWILDerwood Cheshire

For fun days out near Manchester, look at BeWILDerwood Cheshire!

We had such a good family out here a few summers ago. I do recommend it for younger children, the boys were 5 and 8 which was perfect.

This is an enchanted wood based on magical and enchanting books by author and creator Tom Blofeld. The wood is filled with slides, treehouses, zip lines and playgrounds, all with a different theme.

Their focus is PLAY, so as adults, you get onto the treehouses, slides and zip lines as well for a super fun family day out in Cheshire!

The majority of these family places to visit near Manchester will require a car. If you are on a trip to Manchester without a car, search for car hire from Manchester Airport here.

13. Peak District Caves & Villages

  • Where is it? Various locations around the Peak District
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Thors Cave Entrance
The view once inside Thor’s Cave, this is a great place for kids in the Peak District!

Finally, we are so lucky in Manchester to have the Peak District so close to us and whilst there are many great family Peak District walks, I think visiting the Caves & Caverns is the best way to keep kids entertained on a family day out near Manchester.

You can visit Caves which require a ticket and tour such as Speedwell Cavern and Blue John Cavern, these add to the ‘family day out’ vibe, or if you want one of the free family days out near Manchester, I suggest Thor’s Cave which anyone can walk to and walk up into.

Here’s my post on How To Do Thor’s Cave Walk! An Easy Walk In The Peak District.

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Thors Cave Pathway
Thors Cave – Free Days Out Near Manchester

14. Alton Towers Theme Park

  • Where is it? Stoke on Trent
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes to Stoke on Trent station to Uttoxeter station and a 15 minute taxi
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Alton Towers Entrance
Alton Towers is one of the fun days out near Manchester for families!

Alton Towers doesn’t need any introductions really. It’s the biggest theme park in the UK with rides for children of all ages.

At just 1 hour 30 minutes from central Manchester, the journey from Manchester to Alton Towers might not be as long as you think making it one of the best days out near Manchester for all the family.

15. Crosby Beach

  • Where is it? Merseyside
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, to Crosby station via Liverpool
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Crosby Beach on sunny day
For the closest beaches to Manchester, head to Crosby Beach!

Looking for the closest beaches to Manchester? Crosby Beach is the answer!

Crosby Beach isn’t the best beach I’ll be honest but it’s not a bad beach to visit if you’re looking for a quick family day out from Manchester.

Although the entrance to Crosby Beach gets busy, it actually stretches 2.5 miles along the coast so you can easily get away from the crowds and have the beach to yourself.

We love visiting here outside of the hot summer days too for a family walk. As well as being a family day out near Manchester, it’s one of the easy family days out in Liverpool so great for meeting friends that live this way.

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Crosby Beach Statues
And look out for these statues on Crosby Beach,

16. Southport Beach & Pleasureland

  • Where is it? Southport, near Preston and Blackpool
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, direct from Manchester Oxford Road
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Southport Pleasure Beach and Rides,
For a seaside family day out near Manchester that’s closer than Blackpool, think about Southport!

Last summer, we were looking for the closest beaches to Manchester and having been to the closer Merseyside beaches recently, we headed a bit further up the West Coast to Southport.

Southport is similar to Blackpool in ways, especially with its Pleasureland, however, it’s that bit closer to Manchester and not as big.

We had a great afternoon at Southport Pleasureland and there are rides to suit children of all ages, plus lots of games and general British fair fun.

Afterwards, we went for a walk on Southport Beach. This is one of the weirdest beaches in the UK for its tide. We walked and walked and did not reach the water, in fact, Visit Southport say there’s a myth that you can’t see the sea from Southport, but it does come in at times.

Either way, it’s a great place for kids to run as far as they want on this huge beach.

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Southport Beach
If the tide is out far, Southport Beach is huge!

17. Gullivers World Theme Park

  • Where is it? Warrington
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, to Warrington and a 10 minute taxi
  • Website Link

For theme parks near Manchester, Gulliver’s World is a great option, especially if you have younger children as the Gulliver’s Theme Parks around the UK are aimed at younger children than the likes of Alton Towers.

Located in Warrington and therefore super easy to visit on a family day out near Manchester, and family day out near Liverpool, Gulliver’s World will provide you with a full day of activities and fun.

18. Peak Wildlife Park

This is a place I only came across recently but it’s known as one of the UK’s most beloved wildlife destinations located in the South of the Peak District area.

It’s one of the great family days out near Manchester to get educated and entertained by wildlife whilst also supporting the conservation work they are doing.

The main theme of Peak Wildlife Park is the interactive experiences they offer and the opportunity to appreciate these fascinating creatures up close.

Great for all ages and perfect for adding to a family Peak District day out.

And, if you are visiting during the week, check out their discounted ticket offers for afternoon entry and toddler entry!

19. Dovestone Reservoir Walk

  • Where is it? North of the Peak District near Oldham
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, from Greenfield station and a 5 minute taxi ride
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Dovestone Reservoir Signs
For family walks near Manchester, Dovestone Reservoir is a great option!

I know a lot of these family days out near Manchester have been to more Southern locations, so for those of you in North Manchester and near Oldham and Rochdale, a family walk to Dovestone Reservoir is a great day out and one of the cheaper days out near Manchester because aside from parking, it’s free!

There are many great walks in the Peak District but I love this Dovestone Reservoir walk because it’s pretty flat for children to walk and enjoy.

Here’s my full guide to How To Do Dovestone Reservoir Walk – an Easy Circular Walk in Peak District.

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Dovestone Reservoir and hills
Take in the beauty of the Peak District, without walking up too many hills around Dovestone Reservoir!

20. Pendle Hill & Clitheroe Castle

  • Where is it? In the Ribble Valley near Blackburn
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, a direct train to Clitheroe from Manchester Victoria
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Clitheroe Castle
Take a trip to the Ribble Valley to take in the history of Clitheroe and Pendle Hill,

Another one of the great days out near Manchester is up to the Ribble Valley and this is particularly good for those living in North Manchester and the surrounding cities like Preston, Blackburn and Rochdale.

Compared to the Lake District or Peak District, the Ribble Valley isn’t as well known but from my recent visit, I found many things to do in the Ribble Valley.

One of those things is climbing Pendle Hill. Here’s my guide to How To Do Pendle Hill Walk with easy and hard routes, of course, if you are planning this walk with younger children, I recommend the easier route.

Pendle is known for the Pendle Witch trial which can be interesting for children to learn about and don’t forget the Pendle Sculpture Trail near Pendle Hill which is great for children to explore.

To make a full day out near Manchester in the area, I also recommend going to nearby Clitheroe and checking out Clitheroe Castle.

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Pendle Hill Walking Sign
A walk up Pendle Hill is bit challenging but not too bad for little legs!

21. Eureka! Science + Discovery Liverpool

  • Where is it? Liverpool, Wirral
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, train into various Liverpool Stations then a bus, train or ferry crossing
  • Website Link

If a Science Museum isn’t one of the fun places to take Kids, I don’t know what is!

For family days out IN Manchester I have recommended the Science and Industry Museum in the City Centre, but if you’ve been there many times before and want to have a day out from Manchester, the Eureka Science and Discovery Centre in Liverpool is a great option!

It’s located on the Wirral side of the city, right at the Seacombe Ferry Port. They recommend 2-3 hours to explore their hands-on interactive museum.

As with many museums, they have regular events during school holidays and bank holidays, so this is great if you are looking for things to do with kids near Manchester during the school holidays, or, things to do in Liverpool during the school holidays!

22. Blackpool

  • Where is it? Blackpool, on the East Coast
  • Train Access from Manchester? Yes, direct trains run from Manchester Picadilly
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Blackpool Beach with Tower and Pleasure beach in distance
For family days out near Manchester, Blackpool will be a winner!

Blackpool is a classic UK family day out and as someone who grew up in the Midlands, Blackpool always seemed so far away, but it can be less than 1-hour drive from Manchester!

You might associate Blackpool with its Pleasurebeach Theme Park, Blackpool Tower and Donkey Rides along the beach,

But Blackpool has recently undergone a £100m investment meaning there are even more family things to do in Blackpool now and I love this post with 18 great things to do in Blackpool with kids like Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool Model Village, Penny Farm, and it reminds us there’s lots of beautiful countryside near Blackpool like the Forest of Bowland.

So for family days out near Manchester, you can have some seaside fun in Blackpool in the morning, and head out into the Countryside in the afternoon before returning home.

It’s also one of the great day trips from Manchester by train because of its direct train from Manchester Picadilly.

I always use The Train Line to find the best train tickets and they often do family deals, especially during the holidays so check out The Train Line here!

Family Days Out Near Manchester, Blackpool Pleasure beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach – How to spend a day with family near Manchester!

23. Mother Shipton’s Cave

  • Where is it? Knaresborough in Yorkshire, just outside Harrogate
  • Train Access from Manchester?
  • Website Link
Family Days Out Near Manchester, Knaresborough Bridge
Head to Yorkshire to Knaresborough and visit the enchanted Mother Shiptons Cave and Park!

How about England’s oldest tourist attraction for your family day out near Manchester?

Head up into Yorkshire towards Harrogate and you’ll find a pretty village called Knaresborough which is home to Mother Shipton’s Cave, a brilliant family tourist attraction near Manchester.

Although you will visit a Cave, the Cave where Mother Shipton was born, the tourist site is actually more of a Park with a Museum and play area too, so you can spend a while here walking around the enchanting woods and learning the history of Mother Shipton and the area, making it one of the great full family days out from Manchester

Family Days Out Near Manchester FAQ

Here are FAQ about family days out near Manchester:

Where can I visit near Manchester with kids?

Areas like the Peak District, Chester and North Wales are great to visit with kids with plenty of walks and activities to do and they are not far from Manchester,

What is there to do near Manchester with kids?

You can go to Chester Zoo, Trentham Monkey Forest, North Wales beaches, Peak District walks. There are so many attractions near Manchester for families.

Where is good for families to visit near Manchester?

I recommend going to the Peak District as there are plenty of activities like visiting the caves and there are plenty of places to walk for free and towns and villages to eat in.

Thank you for reading, I hope this post has helped with ideas for things to do near Manchester with kids and family days out near Manchester!